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Of Broken Heroes and Haunted Worlds: Matt Spencer Talks Storytelling and Identity

If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, gritty mythology, and stories that aren’t afraid to peer into the shadowy corners of the human psyche, then Matt Spencer’s work is a must-read. In this exclusive author interview, Matt opens up about the inspirations behind his genre-blending stories, from Victorian horror to post-apocalyptic adventures, and the deeply personal threads woven throughout his fiction. Whether he’s exploring faith, fractured identities, or forbidden love, Spencer delivers narratives that are emotionally raw, spiritually charged, and unapologetically bold. Read on to discover the mind behind the mythos. Across the collection, each story feels like a distinct voice—ranging from gothic to mythic to post-apocalyptic. How do you shift your narrative tone so effectively between stories? I prefer to avoid being a one-trick pony. I love and appreciate all kinds of literature, from shamelessly pulpy, to “literary fiction”, to the bonkers experimental, to everything ...
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Chapel of Falcon and other stories

The book we will be reviewing today is Chapel of Falcon and Other Stories written by Matt Spencer. It is a fantasy short story collection filled with themes of gods, witches, time slips, dystopia, and forbidden love. Matt Spencer is the author of the Deschembine Trilogy ( The Night and the Land , The Trail of the Beast , The Blazing Chief ) and other notable works like Changing of the Guards and The Renegade God . He’s a jack-of-all-trades who has been a journalist, cook, radio DJ, actor, martial artist, and currently works at a homeless shelter in Vermont. Grab your copy here This collection holds seven stories, each unique in tone and theme, but bound together by Spencer’s rich, mystic worldbuilding and recurring spiritual and mythological motifs. Here’s a peek into a few of them: Chapel of Falcon Told from the third-person perspective, this story follows Frederick Hawthrone as he uncovers the layered myth of Lady and Lord Falcon—divine beings held captive by Lady Seibre. Th...

9 Most Anticipated May 2025 Book Releases You Shouldn’t Miss

May 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable month for readers, with a wide range of new books hitting shelves—from pulse-pounding thrillers and epic fantasy to emotionally charged romance and witty contemporary fiction. Whether you're in the mood for a high-stakes love triangle, a forgotten oracle in a crumbling kingdom, or a cozy mystery disguised as a rom-com, this list has something for every book lover. Below, we’ve rounded up the ten most anticipated May 2025 book releases that deserve a spot on your TBR. The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig Release Date: May 20, 2025 Series: The Stonewater Kingdom #1 Rachel Gillig returns with a gothic romantasy full of atmosphere, betrayal, and destiny. Sybil Delling is a gifted Diviner whose prophetic dreams have shaped the fates of nations. But when her fellow seers begin disappearing, Sybil is forced to leave her secluded island and seek help from Rodrick, the cursed knight who once broke her heart. As a mysterious murderer ha...

Writing Through Grief, Guided by Paws: Deborah Fox’s Story

In her latest whimsical mystery, Where Is All the Grass Going? , author Deborah Fox invites readers into a world where dogs run a secret agency—and the planet’s grass is mysteriously vanishing. It's fun, heartfelt, and just a little bit absurd in the best way. Following the success of her debut Second Hand Rose , Deborah shares her journey, inspirations, and the real-life dogs behind the detective work. We’re thrilled to share our full Q&A with her here: 1. Let’s start with the obvious—where did the idea for a secret dog agency solving the mystery of disappearing grass come from? I was sitting in a park one day watching bumble bees and butterflies going from flower to flower and suddenly thought what if all the grass disappeared right before my eyes. Like it was being pulled from underneath, I looked at my partner and shouted I have an idea for a book and sorry it's really daft. I relayed the story over our picnic. He loved it and laughed when I said what the villain would ...

Where is all the grass going?

The book we’re diving into today is Where Is All the Grass Going? by Deborah—a delightfully offbeat and unexpectedly moving tale that blends mystery, humor, and the boundless charm of dogs doing very important (and very secret) things. Following the success of her debut novel Second Hand Rose , Deborah returns with another heartfelt and imaginative story that celebrates the love we share with our pets—this time, through the eyes of two canine agents on a mission that’s as ridiculous as it is riveting. Grab your copy here Told through a unique third-person lens, the story follows two dog protagonists working for a secret animal-run agency that tackles cases across the globe. Their newest assignment? Grass is mysteriously vanishing from every corner of the world. With time running out and lawns growing suspiciously bald, it’s up to our furry heroes to get to the bottom of it before their agency—and possibly the entire ecosystem—is forced to shut down. What sets Where Is All the Grass Go...

Most Anticipated Books of April 2025: The Month’s Most Buzzed-About New Releases

  April 2025 is packed with exciting new titles that span everything from slow-burn romance and fantasy thrillers to heart-tugging contemporary fiction. If you’re on the hunt for your next unforgettable read, these are the books to keep on your radar. Whether you're into enemies-to-lovers tropes, sweeping mysteries, or the return of a dystopian universe, there's something here for everyone. Here are the most anticipated books of April 2025—complete with release dates and must-know details to get them on your TBR ASAP. 1. Fearless by Lauren Roberts Release Date: April 8, 2025 The thrilling conclusion to the Powerless trilogy delivers everything fans have been waiting for—high stakes, emotional depth, and a love that may not survive the cost of loyalty. Paedyn and Kai return to the Kingdom of Ilya, where one decision could change not just their lives, but the future of an entire kingdom. Fearless asks one of the hardest questions in fantasy: when love and loyalty collide, whi...

The Ghosts We Left Behind by Helga Lockheart: A Poetic Elegy to Lost Love and Fractured Dreams

  In a world where words often fall short of capturing the depth of our emotions, The Ghosts We Left Behind by Helga Lockheart stands as a hauntingly beautiful testament to the complexity of love, loss, and memory. Through a lyrical and evocative collection of poetry, Lockheart unveils the tender ache of unfulfilled desires, the quiet despair of broken promises, and the fragile beauty found in the lingering remnants of past relationships. This stunning poetry collection invites readers to journey through the delicate sorrow of lost love, with each poem acting as a whisper of longing and introspection. If you are someone who finds solace in the beauty of melancholic verse, The Ghosts We Left Behind will surely resonate with you. grab your copy here A Journey Through Grief, Longing, and Memory The Ghosts We Left Behind is not just a collection of poems; it is a carefully crafted elegy to the ghosts that continue to haunt our hearts long after the love we once held has faded. Helga...